Constant Struggle

Most people, if they peeked into my life would consider it a pretty good one. Not perfect, certainly some struggles, but far fewer than in the recent past and so maybe on a scale of 1-10, they give my life an 8. But me, I’d give it, well, I’m not going to tell you because I am embarrassed about what I think.

good work

Deep inside of me is a seed of doubt or maybe the seed of ‘not good enough’ is a better name. I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “Comparison is the thief of joy” from Theodore Roosevelt, and I have spent hours pondering and praying as to why I do this to myself.

Ultimately, like most answers we need, there’s not an email coming from God on this, but his Word is full of reasons why all of us need to need compare ourselves to others. Here are a few of my favorite scripture verses to use to overcome the struggle.

In the book of Psalms God tells us how special we are: “Keep me as the apple of your eye” (17:8a).

Just as God had a plan for Jeremiah, he has one for each of us: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” (1:5).

And while I am fully aware that the Magnificat in Luke 1 is Mary’s prayer, the beginning verses are so comforting when I feel like I am less than others: “For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him” (1:48-50).

My will is weak sometimes and comparing me to others reinforces what the world tells so many of us, “We are not (fill in the blank) enough.” But God tells us something different; we are perfect, because we are his and he made us for good , “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them (Eph 2:10).

What is your favorite scripture verse when you are feeling low?